The Battle for America 2008: The Story of an Extraordinary Election

The election of 2008 shattered political barriers; illuminated undercurrents of race, gender, and class; and ignited an extraordinary battle among some of the most formidable rivals ever to seek the presidency: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain. It was an election that played out against a backdrop of war, economic collapse, and deep pessimism about the future.

Collision 2012: Obama vs. Romney and the Future of Elections in America

Four years ago, a bright young presidential candidate named Barack Obama campaigned on a theme of hope and change, and made history. Today, he finds himself in another bitter, divisive presidential race but without the buzzwords. Instead, an embattled president struggles with a dysfunctionally divided Congress, a controversial healthcare bill, a decade-long war, and a stagnant economy.

Debates Don't Often Change Presidential Races. Is 2016 the Exception?

Monday’s debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is the most anticipated event of a presidential campaign filled with remarkable and revolting moments. But if the debate season, when it’s all over, has changed the trajectory of the race, it will be a surprise. Amid all the sound and fury, changes now seem to come in inches.

Pope Francis at Congress: a Spiritual Leader’s Advice to Politicians

"Pope Francis at Congress: a Spiritual Leader’s Advice to Politicians" is from the September 25, 2015 Politics and Power section of The Washington Post. It was written by Dan Balz and narrated by Sam Scholl.

If Trump Thinks Debate Prep Is for Chumps, His Advisers Can't Save Him from Himself

Donald Trump has one week to prepare for his next debate with Hillary Clinton. It is a critical event for him. Yet everything he’s done before and after the first debate sends a loud, clear message: He seems to think debate prep is for chumps. A candidate charged with lacking discipline just spent the week providing evidence for the prosecution.

Clinton Has Some Big Challenges in Final Debate. None Involves Discrediting Trump.

"The first will be to respond to and explain what has been learned from the hacking of campaign chairman John Podesta’s email account and other recent revelations. The second and perhaps even more important task will be to make a strong, affirmative and compelling case for a possible Clinton presidency."

Two Speeches in Two Hours Crystallize the State of Campaign 2016

Two speeches. Two Americas. A pair of apocalyptic arguments and one call to burn down the house. That’s the summation from just two remarkable hours Thursday that crystallized the final month of Campaign 2016.

Clinton Outscores Trump - but the Campaign Isn't over Yet

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — The first presidential debate more than lived up to expectations, a noisy clash between two determined adversaries that produced electric moments and substantive difference. In the early stages, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump seemed evenly matched, but the longer it went on, the more she was able to score against him.

Poll: Clinton, Trump in Virtual Dead Heat on Eve of First Debate

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will meet Monday night for their first debate in a virtual dead heat in the race for the White House, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, with the Democratic nominee’s August advantage erased after recent difficulties and the GOP nominee still facing doubts about his qualifications and temperament.

Clinton Holds Clear Advantage in New Battleground Polls

Hillary Clinton holds a decisive advantage over Donald Trump in the competition for votes in the electoral college, leading in enough states to put her comfortably over the 270 majority needed to win the presidential election in November, according to a new SurveyMonkey poll of 15 battleground states conducted with The Washington Post.

Trump May Want the Birther Issue to Go Away, but It Will Always Be Part of His History

Donald Trump has prided himself on having unerring instincts and a flair for showmanship, attributes that helped dispatch his Republican rivals in the primaries and that he hopes will land him in the White House in January. His handling of the birther issue — past and present — says just the opposite.

Clinton's 'Deplorables' Remark Sums up a Deplorable Election Season

If Campaign 2016 needed some shorthand to capture the way many Americans see the competition between the two major party candidates, Hillary Clinton may have unintentionally supplied it this weekend. For much of the electorate, this could be remembered as a deplorable election.

A New 50-State Poll Shows Exactly Why Clinton Holds the Advantage Over Trump

"A New 50-State Poll Shows Exactly Why Clinton Holds the Advantage Over Trump" is from the September 6, 2016 Politics section of The Washington Post. It was written by Dan Balz and Scott Clement and narrated by Jenny Hoops.

In Every State, Pessimism About Trump, Clinton and the Impact of the Election

"In Every State, Pessimism About Trump, Clinton and the Impact of the Election" is from the September 7, 2016 Politics section of The Washington Post. It was written by Dan Balz and Emily Guskin and narrated by Jenny Hoops.